• Shop
My Account
  • Register
  • Login
Header Logo
You are here: Products The Phoenix Syndrome by Claire Gem
Cover image of the book
Cover image of the book

The Phoenix Syndrome by Claire Gem

Turning forty, for Lannie Marvin, is rough. It’s the day she discovers her husband is leaving her for a younger “soulmate.” At work, a crazed mouse being treated with an experimental drug brutally bites her. Then, Lannie goes a little crazy, too.

Seems she’s recently developed a serious crush on the drummer of her son’s favorite heavy metal band. Waking up to her husband’s empty closet, her finger still throbbing from the mouse bite, Lannie snaps. Under the ruse of a shopping trip, Lannie kidnaps her sister-in-law/best friend, and heads toward Bethel, New York – the site of the original Woodstock concert.

Just so happens Dreamwish is playing a concert there, and Lannie managed to procure the pair of tickets her son won but couldn’t use.

Tristan Allard, the band’s drummer, holds this benefit every year in memory of his wife, whom he lost to breast cancer. The musician is beginning to doubt his ability to write the band’s music without his wife’s inspiration – she was also his muse. Plus, he’s damn lonely. So when a sexually charged, extremely attractive, slightly older woman literally plows into him at the backstage reception, Tristan is ready to learn more about her – and her long-buried interest in musical composition.

The two head off for a wild ride of a weekend, but reality boomerangs around way too soon. Tristan is headed to the UK to audition his next album’s scores. And an elevated libido isn’t the only side-effect of that experimental drug.

SKU: B01KYC40GS Category: Contemporary Tags: Contemprary romance, midlife crisis, second chance romance, women's fiction
360 product view
0%
  • Description
  • Reviews (0)

Description

Find more from this author on:

Buy this book on Amazon
Amazon
Author's Website
Author Site
Find this book on Goodreads
GoodReads
Find this author on Facebook
Facebook
Find this author on Twitter
Twitter
Find this author on Pinterest
Pinterest


About the author:

She writes in two genres: romance w/a ghostly twist, and sexy contemporary. Claire’s books are like a thrill ride at a theme park. Whether it’s spooky-scary, angst-ridden relationships filled with gut-wrenching turmoil, silly chuckle moments, or hot-flash-inducing sex, Claire guarantees to take you on an emotionally intense romantic journey

What inspired you to write your book?

That one line (and the reaction to it!) spurred the entire story idea.

Here is a short sample from the book:

But then there was the drummer. If not for the overhead monitors panning in for close-ups during the performance, I might never have known he existed. What a travesty that would have been.
In a word, he was . . . magnificent. He sat like a king on his throne at the elevated rear of the stage, sparkling silver-flake drums surrounding him like loyal minions. The monitor directly over our seats focused on him often, so close and so clear I could see the sweat glistening on sculpted upper arms, bare beneath a black muscle shirt stretched taut across a broad chest. Some sort of ink crawled over one bicep. A black-and-white paisley bandanna covered most of his head, but long, dark curls framed his face and clung damp against his neck. His facial hair, limited to a sparse mustache and goatee, was chocolate brown. I indulged in the fantasy that his eyes were that same sweet, smoldering color.
His passion for his work was palpable. Hands flying, head bobbing, he was completely engrossed, as if the music were a drug he was tripping on. His hooded eyes gave him the look of a sleepy lover, but when he did open them, I could swear he was gazing directly at me.
Looking back on that night, I can’t be sure how long we’d sat there before I fixated on my drummer boy. The music, which at first grated on my senses as way too loud and completely discordant, gradually began to permeate my brain. Before long, my bare toes started tapping against the carpeted floor. I freed one hand from my cup of wine to pat my thigh in time with the music. When my head began to bob, almost of its own accord, I smiled.
Ah, now I know why they call progressive metal fans head bangers.
We were climbing into my brother’s SUV, Paul at the wheel with Jeri and Jay next to him in the front. I sat squashed between my husband and son in the back.
“So, what did you guys do for all that time?” Ryan asked.
“We saw Dreamwish,” Paul piped up from the front, sounding as though his statement actually made sense.
“You saw our concert? You guys?” Jay sputtered through his laughter.
I opened my eyes to find my son staring at me in much the same way Jeri had been earlier.
“How’d you like it, Mom?” Ryan asked in a slight singsong of ridicule, which I chose to ignore.
I hesitated, clearing my throat. “The music is . . . different,” I said.
I caught my brother watching me in the rearview mirror. He was wearing an impish grin. “It’s true, Ryan,” he said. “For a while there, we were afraid your mother might run off with one of the roadies.”
“To hell with the roadies,” I snapped. “If I run off, it will definitely be with the yummy drummer.”

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “The Phoenix Syndrome by Claire Gem” Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related products

Prev Next
  • Cover image of the book

    What Do Lesbians Do In Bed? 21 Sapphic Stories by Giselle Renarde

    0 out of 5

    Have you ever wondered what lesbians do when they get together? Is it all fingers and scissors and lips between legs, or is there WAY more to the slippery story of lesbian sex?

    In this hot new anthology, enjoy twenty-one explicit tales of lesbian love. From shoe fetish to opera gloves, sex in public to quiet winter mornings, from a taste of taboo to strap-on DP to extremes that shan’t be mentioned here to full-on Sapphic bukakke, even connoisseurs of fine girl-on-girl action are likely to discover a new idea or two in this sexy new collection.

    Whether you can appreciate this book’s title ironically or you’re authentically curious about what girls who love girls do in bed (or in parked cars or at the office or in a church basement or in a restaurant bathroom), grab a copy today and get in on the nitty-gritty secrets of lesbian sex.

    Giselle Renarde’s erotic fiction has appeared in over 100 anthologies, including prestigious collections like Best Lesbian Erotica, Best Lesbian Romance, Best Women’s Erotica, Girl Fever, and the Lambda Award-winning collection Wild Girls, Wild Nights.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Prodigal: A Second Chance Romance by Pippa Prince

    0 out of 5
    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    DISCONNECTED by J. Cafesin

    0 out of 5

    Ever drink too much, eat too much, indulge in excess, then swear you won’t do it again, but do? Ever fall for someone you knew you shouldn’t?

    Rachel sought what most women did—to be successful, married and in love, have healthy kids. It was hard enough attracting a man when she wasn’t heroin thin or chic like most L.A. women, or sparkly, but not too bright, as her mom insisted females should be. But in the 1990s, finding a man wanting an equal partner, a woman beside him instead of behind him, seemed the impossible dream.

    Then along came Lee…

    How Far Have Women Come in 30 yrs?

    DISCONNECTED is a modern, historical novel about the Coming of Age OF women, for women. The story exposes the antiquated roles women were expected to maintain in the recent past, up close, and very personal. It reveals the impossible standards of feminism—being poised, confident, cover-girl worthy, all while climbing the corporate ladder, and raising a family, and mirrors the challenges most women still face today.

    Deemed a “Novel Memoir,” by the author, in defense of James Frey on Oprah, DISCONNECTED is “Poignant, Compelling, Thought-Provoking,” Woman’s Fiction that will linger long after the read.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Babe Driven by Lizzie Chantree

    0 out of 5

    Harriet’s wonderfully successful business, Babe Driven, is the talk of the town, but her world is about to come crashing down around her, and the threat seems to be coming from inside her own family. For someone who stays out of the limelight, even though her new company is the hottest ticket around, she’s going to have to avoid the front pages of every newspaper if she wants to survive the ride!

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Doing it Risqué by Clarissa Wild

    0 out of 5

    After a fiery night, Grace Bennett couldn’t get over sexy Finn Wood, no matter how much she tried. To make matters worse, her father agreed to a deal and now Grace has to marry one of the worst guys out there. She’s determined to keep that from happening, and forges a plan with Finn, so they can be together after all. Will she succeed?

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Bad Boys of BDSM Box Set by Anita Lawless, C.J. Sneere, Roxxy Meyer, Leigh Foxlee

    0 out of 5

    SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE! LIMITED TIME ONLY!

    From Amazon & All Romance bestsellers the Wild & Lawless Writers!

    Go on a wild ride with these decadent bad boys of BDSM.

    Get tangled up with alpha billionaires and werewolves. Let a bad boy claim your heart. Fall in love with a rugged mercenary, and follow one young dominatrix as she tries to tame two rough bikers.

    This box set includes six novellas plus bonus stories and an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming Midnight Wolves MC Saga.

    Stories so dirty and hot, your ereader may not survive!

    This box set includes:

    Bad Boy Werewolf (MF; HEA)

    Bonus Story: Waking Up Werewolf Part 1 (MM)

    Claimed by the Bad Boy (MF/MFM/MFF; HEA)

    Bonus Story: Jack & James (MMMMMMM)

    Bad Boy Biker (MM/MMM; HFN)

    Bonus Story: Barista Boys (MM)

    Bad Boy Alphas (MMM; HEA)

    Bonus Story: Lust Times Two (MMF)

    Her Bad Boy Protector (MF; HEA)

    Bonus Story: Stripped Down (FF)

    Taming Two Bad Boys (MFM; HEA)

    Bonus Story: Surrender To His Proposal (MMF)

    Bonus Excerpt: Midnight Wolves Part 1

    Bonus Excerpts

    All stories have an extreme heat level.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    The Dr Pepper Prophecies by Jennifer Gilby Roberts

    0 out of 5

    Mel is a twenty-five-year-old underachiever with a terrible job, too much time on her hands and a perfect younger sister. Her work and love lives hit a new low when she ends up working for her ex.

    The one good thing in her life has always been her best friend Will, who has seen her through every crisis from lost toys to pregnancy scares. Now a successful accountant, he looks a prime catch to his girlfriend Natalie, who’s determined to replace Mel as the woman in his life.

    Despairing of improving her own life, she sets out to help her friends instead.

    After all, what’s the worst that can happen?

    A contemporary romantic comedy based loosely on Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ and similar in style to works by Sophie Kinsella.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Surrender To You by C.S. Janey

    0 out of 5

    Stefan never thought she’d come home…

    After five long years, she’s within his reach and he’s determined to find out what she kept hidden from him, while hoping that his own secret won’t tear them apart again.

    Simon never expected to fall in love with her…

    Asking her out had been impulsive, but suddenly the Doctor is falling for this woman who makes him ache like nobody else ever has and he’s determined to make her his.

    Elizabeth never knew she’d feel so strongly for two men…

    Torn between the love of an ex she pushed away in the past and the love of a new man that makes her feel alive again, she must make a decision that will ultimately result in a broken heart for one of them.

    When tragedy strikes, will she be confident in her final decision?

    (Contains mature content and adult language; suitable for 17+.)

    Purchase
    Quick View

Book Categories

  • Collections & Anthologies
  • Contemporary
  • Erotica
  • Fantasy
  • Gothic
  • Historical Romance
  • Multicultural & Interracial
  • Mystery & Suspense
  • Paranormal
  • Romantic Comedy
  • Science Fiction
  • Time Travel
  • Westerns
  • Romance
  • Author Interviews
banner-01testtesttesttest
banner-01testtesttesttest
banner-01testtesttesttest

Top Rated Products

  • Crashing Into Me by R.L JACKSON
    5.00 out of 5
  • Captured by Conner Kincaid
    5.00 out of 5
  • Hidden Embers by Jane Burrelli
    5.00 out of 5
  • Bad at Love by Emeline Piaget
    5.00 out of 5
  • Forever Loyal by Sheppard Brothers
    5.00 out of 5
WantonReads.com supports indie authors!

for Authors

  • Submit Your Book
  • Submit an Author Interview
  • Get Featured Placement

for Readers

  • Discover New Books
  • Meet the Authors
  • About WantonReads

Thanks for visiting!

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
© 2022 - WantonReads.com
View Cart Checkout Continue Shopping